The sight of it still had a ridiculous effect on me.
I shut the door behind us. The cabin suddenly felt quieter than it had in a long time, warmer too. Maybe because I wasn't standing here alone anymore.
"So," Seth said.
"So,” I ventured.
"You gonna show me around?" Seth demanded.
I raised an eyebrow, then I motioned dramatically toward the living room. "Welcome to the grand tour,” I began.
"Oh good."
"You sound excited,” I said.
"I am."
"Liar."
Seth laughed. The sound echoed pleasantly through the cabin. I started with the kitchen, which admittedly wasn't very exciting. Seth inspected everything with suspicious seriousness.
"Hmm."
"What now?" I asked.
"You actually own dishes."
"I've always owned dishes,” I answered.
“Answer me honestly, did your mom get you those?” Seth asked.
I couldn't stop smiling. Seth shook his head. We moved through the rest of the cabin. The guest room, then the renovated bathroom. The back deck overlooking the trees.
At one point Seth leaned against the railing and looked out at the woods stretching beyond the property.
"It's beautiful out here,” Seth commented.
Something softened inside my chest.
"Yeah."
The view had always been one of my favorite things about the cabin. Somehow hearing Seth say it made it feel new again. We eventually headed back inside.
Seth followed me down the hallway. A thoughtful expression had settled on his face. I recognized that look. It usually meant he was about to ask a question.
"Dane."
"Hm?"
“You really seem serious about giving me this tour,” Seth pointed out.
I shrugged. "You seemed interested."
Seth gave me a look. One of those patient looks that said he wasn't buying my nonsense.
"Dane."
I laughed quietly. "Okay, maybe I wanted to show it off a little."
